Biography

Signed to the Detroit Lions active roster December 1, 2010 and was released by the Lions December 17, 2010. Re-signed to the Lions practice squad December 19, 2010.

Released by the Detroit Lions September 5, 2010 and was signed to the lions practice squad September 7, 2010.

Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round (255th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.

PRO: Young tight end who is developing as both a blocker and a pass catcher.

2009: Spent the majority of the season on the team’s practice squad. Signed from the practice squad December 1, 2009.

Was active for one game, at Baltimore (12/13), where he caught one pass for 4 yards.

COLLEGE: Versatile tight end regarded as one of college football's premier blockers who also emerged as a quiality receivier in offensive coordinator James Franklin's West Coast offensive system at Maryland. As a senior in 2008, Gronkowski started twelve games. After catching just eleven passes in his first three seasons, the Terrapin Council member hauled in a career-high 29 passes, good for 287 yards (9.9 avg) and three touchdowns. He also continued his excellence as a blocker, as he registered 66 knockdowns, coming up with eleven touchdown-resulting blocks.The former prep quarterback registered the second-highest strength index on the team in spring 2008 testing. He also boasts a career-best squat of 635 pounds, the second-best figure by a Maryland tight end, topped only by the 685-pound lift from Vernon Davis (49ers). In each of his last four off-seasons, the tight end received Iron Terp honors, a recognition for his outstanding performances in the training room. Gronkowski closed out his career starting in 29-of-40 and caught 40-of 59 passes thrown to him for 401 yards (10.03 avg) and four touchdowns

2008: Started twelve contests, as he hauled in a career-high 29 passes, good for 401 yards (10.0 avg) and four touchdowns.

• All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention. Earned Academic All-District II first-team accolades. • Recipient of the team's of the A. V. Williams Award for outstanding sportsmanship. • Also earned the George Boutselis Memorial Award, given to the player with the highest grade point average. 18 of his receptions were good for first downs (62.07%), as he converted 6-of-9 third-down plays and had key catches that led to five Maryland touchdowns and two field goals.• Registered eleven receptions for at least 10 yards, including four for 20 yards or longer. • Delivered ten touchdown resulting blocks and 66 knockdowns, grading 83.69% for blocking consistency.

2007: Appeared in eleven games, starting the team's first eight contests. Was utilized mostly for his exceptional blocking skills, as he registered 70 key blocks/knockdowns, eleven down field blocks and ten touchdown-resulting blocks, finishing with an 86.63% grade for blocking consistency.

• Academic All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection. Recipient of the team's C.P. "Lefty" Mcintosh Public Service Award.• Caught seven-of-eleven passes targeted to him, gaining 66 yards (9.4 avg), as five of his grabs produced first downs, converting one third-down toss in the process. • Had three catches for longer than 10 yards, including a season long 26- yarder. Came up with key catches that led to a pair of Maryland touchdowns and three others that helped set up Terps field goals.

2006: The sophomore appeared in every game, starting nine contests (came off the bench vs. William & Mary, Florida International,

• Florida State and Boston College. Registered 70 knockdowns/key blocks with eleven coming down field and ten more resulting in Maryland touchdowns. • Gronkowski teamed with Joey Haynos to give Maryland the Atlantic Coast Conference's premier tight end tandem.

2005: Played in five games as a reserve tight end, seeing action vs. Navy, Clemson, West Virginia, Temple and Virginia. His brother, Chris, was also a member of the team, as a full back playing on the scout team.

• Managed to catch a pair of passes for 37 yards (18.5 avg), as his first career catch set up a Terps field goal and his second resulted in a Maryland touchdown. • Both catches were good for first downs, converting a fourth-down play in the process.

2004: Spent the season as a redshirt, performing on the scout team at tight end. His performances in practice earned him Scout Team Player of the Week honors vs. Duke and Virginia..

2003: One of the team's first-ever grey-shirts, Gronkowski deferred spring 2004 enrollment after he had suited up for the GatorBowl match-up vs. West Virginia.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Willamsville (N.Y.) High School, playing football for head coach Mike Mammoliti.

• Earned four letters in football, starting at wide receiver during his sophomore campaign. Set a school season-record with 539 yards receiving that season. • Switched to quarterback for his final two campaigns, completing 122 of 207 passes (58.9%) for 1,407 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. His completion, yardage and touchdown totals were all school annual records. • Named League Offensive Most Valuable Player and was a Western New York All-Academic team selection. • Added four letters in baseball, three in basketball and one in hockey. Member of the National Honor Society.

• Second-oldest of six sons of Diane and Gordon Gronkowski. Older brother, Gordie, Jr., was a first baseman for Jacksonville University from 2003-06. • Brother, Chris, was a teammate at Maryland for two seasons (2005-06), where he played fullback. • Chris later transferred to the University of Arizona, sitting out the 2007 season under NCAA transfer rules. • He is presently competing as a H-Back for the Wildcats, playing alongside their younger brother, Rob, a Freshman All-American who is regarded by many as the best tight end in the nation. • Resides in Amherst, New York.